Xi asserts China's 'rejuvenation' near

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Premier Li Keqiang, right, stand as Vice President Wang Qishan arrives at the closing session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Premier Li Keqiang, right, stand as Vice President Wang Qishan arrives at the closing session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Tuesday, March 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping struck a strongly nationalistic tone today in his closing address to the annual session of the ceremonial parliament at which term limits on his rule were abolished.

Speaking before the nearly 3,000 members of the National People's Congress, Xi declared that the Chinese people were "closer now than at any time in history to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

The Chinese people, he said, are united in their belief that "every inch of our great motherland absolutely cannot and absolutely will not be separated from China."

Premier Li Keqiang promised today that China "will open even wider" to imports and investment and will fully open manufacturing industries to foreign competitors.

Beijing plans to eliminate import tariffs on drugs and slash duties on consumer goods, said Li.

He said the country will "fully open the manufacturing sector," with better protection for intellectual property.

A Section on 03/20/2018

Upcoming Events